December 03, 2020
Tikanga helping build Maori forest business
A former gangster turned business owner says tikanga Māori can improve the lives of his employees.
Quin Kingi, who is now 37, grew up in Whakatāne surrounded by violence, drug and alcohol abuse.
After a spell in prison, he established a silviculture & pest control company in 2017.
He says many of his 16 staff have been or are gang members, who he tries to reconnect with their Mātaatua roots.
"I have Mongrel Mob, I have Tribesmen, I have Black Power. Once they are in the crew van we tell them 'leave that stuff. We are brothers, we are cousins, we are whānau.' We go to the marae, we do marae wānanga, we invite the families, It's that whakawhanaungatanga and it's so powerful," Mr Kingi says.
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